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“Incredible! I don’t know how you managed to talk your new boss into paying for someone so amazing. The kids love Colleen, and she’s made life so easy. I wish I could keep her forever.”
A sad relief. Great that the woman was working out, but Gia’s worry that she’d failed her family hurt. She’d given her all, but between work and hunting Wayman, there hadn’t been enough of her to go around.
“Glad to hear it.”
“But they miss their Auntie G,” Mila added.
“I miss them, too.” She tried not to cry. In truth, she missed her whole family.
“Hopefully, you won’t be busy much longer,” Mila said gently. “Oh, the other reason I called… We’ve had to move your father’s birthday dinner to tonight. I know it’s short notice, but any chance you can make it? It would mean a lot to your parents.”
“Tonight? Dad’s birthday isn’t for two weeks.”
“Thanksgiving is late this year, so his big day falls on Black Friday. The Delvecchios are out of town that weekend for the holiday.”
The family owned her dad’s favorite little hole-in-the-wall for food. He wouldn’t want to celebrate anywhere else.
“Your mom and I realized it this morning, so we rescheduled,” Mila went on. “Please come.”
How would that work? She doubted seriously that Jason would allow her to attend a family event without him. In fact, he’d told her just minutes ago that he wanted to be with her a lot longer than nine days. It stood to reason that he’d demand to meet the Angelotti clan.
When she and Jason had first eloped, she’d had a plan to invite her parents over for dinner, introduce Jason and let them get to know him over the meal, then announce that they were husband and wife. But once Tony had been killed, her plan had gone out the window. Gia didn’t know how to broach the subject with them a belated year later. Or if she even should. She’d know what to do once she’d decided whether to stick it out with Jason or throw in the towel. But springing a surprise marriage on her father, especially when it might not last, wouldn’t be much of a birthday gift.
“I want to come, but I’m really tied up here.” Gia winced. “I’ll see what I can do… If I get free, tell me again what time I should be at Delvecchio’s.”
“Five thirty. It was the only time they could take us last minute.”
“I’m not sure I can be done with my downtown appointment in time. Don’t be surprised if y’all have to go on without me.” Gia made a mental note to ask Jason if they could shop for a gift today and drop it off at the restaurant before her family arrived.
“I was afraid you’d say that.” Mila sounded disappointed. “If your schedule changes and you can make it, please come. I know your dad would be thrilled.”
“Sure. Yeah. Thanks for the heads-up. If I end up having to leave the gift at the restaurant, I’ll text you. Talk to you soon.”
Gia shoved her phone in her purse again and peered suspiciously into the hall, wondering if she’d find Jason lurking there. But no. She crept downstairs and found him in the kitchen sipping coffee and browsing his newspaper.
“So we need to drop your nephew’s insurance card by the pediatrician’s office?”
His question rattled her. “I can take care of it and be back by two.”
Jason’s blue eyes turned dark, his entire expression disapproving.
Or not…
“I’ll be driving you, Gianna.” He spoke her full name, telling her with just one word that she’d reached an unbendable boundary.
She tried to hold in a sigh. “I also need to drop off a little something for my dad. Would it be possible to stop by a mall first?”
“Of course.”
“If you don’t have time, I understand. You sounded like you were on an important call when I first came downstairs, so?—”
“Nothing is more important than you.”
His words made her stomach flutter. Honestly, she didn’t understand her husband. He didn’t believe in love, yet he’d done everything to make her happy, comfortable, and sated since she’d walked through his door. If he’d told her that he loved her this morning, she would have believed him. Oh, his demeanor could be remote. But his behavior spoke volumes, every word saying so clearly that he cared.
“Thank you.”
“My pleasure. Why don’t you shower? I’ll set out something for you to wear. We’ll leave when you’re ready.”
